Working in harmony -- get on the same page!

Last time we met, we noted that God wants His people to reflect His image, by working together in harmony. By cooperating. By being examples of unity.
But that's easier to say than to do, right?
Nehemiah has some tips for us . . . I think that chapter three is important because it shows us how to work together to accomplish God's purpose.

The first thing we need is to all be on the same page! Or, to put it another way, we need a shared vision of the task at hand.

It's impossible to work together if everyone has a different notion of what is needed. Looking at Nehemiah's third chapter, what if one man had thought the purpose was to construct a highly decorative boundary. Perhaps a nice fence with pleasing architectural details.
The next man along might envision that a wall like a fortress was needed. Huge stones fitting together tightly.
Perhaps another might think the wall needed a walkway along the top, and structured openings for soldiers to use their weapons . . .
You know what we would have there?
Chaos!
They needed to agree on what they were building so that they could work together harmoniously.
The task confronting Nehemiah and the people was a specific one. It was measureable: to rebuild the wall around the city of Jerusalem, in order to defend against their enemies. Everyone could work together and accomplish the task.

In our real-life business, we often deliver quotes to companies on completing a task. It may be a brand new product that is going to be designed and manufactured. Along the way, there are what we call "deliverables." These are steps in the process that are definite - they can be assessed and measured. For instance, when a design is finished, there are drawing files and assembly instructions. When manufacturing begins on a new product or device, there will be prototypes delivered and approval will be needed. At every step along the way, there are "check boxes" to tick off, to know that things are moving along as needed.

But today, the task of believers is not so easily attained. Progress on the purpose of the church is not as easily measured. It's not a question of ticking off boxes for steps completed.
Well, as believers, our task is to see the Great Commission fulfilled by proclaiming the gospel to every people group on earth. But it's even more than just evangelism -- the task requires raising up congregations in the people groups that will teach their people to obey all that Jesus commanded (Matthew 28). And we have seen in previous studies that the supreme goal of God's purpose is that He will be glorified; His purpose is that His name would be hallowed on earth as it is in heaven.

So, our goal is to spread our own passion for God's glory to others; to spread it among the nations of the world by telling of the gospel and by helping all of God's children to treasure Jesus Christ as their greatest joy. That's our vision. Our shared vision of the task at hand.
And even though it may not be immediately obvious, everything that we do for the Lord should have that shared vision in mind. It may not be clear how every task contributes to the effort, though. For example, if we get the opportunity to witness to someone about Jesus and he or she responds to the gospel, that is truly obvious! It is related to the vision!
But what about sweeping the foyer, or cleaning up the kitchen after a church children's event? I suppose one could say that helping with those tasks probably won't directly result in many souls being added to the kingdom. BUT!  They are vital tasks that contribute to the overall cause! Think about it . . . it no one chose to do those things, the well-being of the church could be hindered, and the unbelievers who walked in would not have a good impression of the unity and work ethic of the believers. Or if someone did those tasks and grumbled the whole time about how messy everyone was, and why didn't they make sure they cleaned up after themselves . . .
Or we could do our tasks with joy in our hearts because God has saved us and made us part of His kingdom. He gets all the glory, and our lives radiate the joy of knowing we are redeemed by His Son, Jesus Christ.

Unity.
Harmony.
Being "on the same page."
It's important to work together to accomplish God's purpose!